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Tanks that are used to haul nitrogen-based fertilizer should not be used to transport any type of drinking water supply for animals, advises Steve Ensley, of Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department.

There are several reasons why producers need to know how to handle and feed drought-damaged corn in silage form, according to Steve Ensley of Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) department.

New central Iowa opportunities exist for harvesting corn stover in support of cellulosic ethanol plant biomass feedstock needs. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a meeting on Aug. 15 to address emerging opportunities related to stover harvesting. The Corn Stover Harvest Meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in Christy Hall, Story County Extension Office, Nevada.

Cow-calf producers should consider weaning calves now to help reduce the demand on pastures and get cows in better condition prior to winter, according to Denise Schwab, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Early weaning does require good weaning management; Schwab outlines management steps.

Drainage systems that are properly designed and operating are essential to achieving excellent agricultural production capability. The Iowa Drainage School is being offered to address these issues on Aug. 21-23 at the Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) between Ames and Boone, Iowa.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is organizing two Dealing with Drought 2012 meetings on Thursday, Aug. 2. The sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Heritage Events Center in Cresco, and at 1:30 p.m. at the Cedar River Complex Auditorium in Osage.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting farmland leasing workshops at many locations in Iowa during July and August. Workshops are designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management, and leasing agreements.

Iowa State horticulturists will offer tips for dealing with drought-stressed lawns, trees and shrubs, vegetables and fruit during a webinar on Friday, July 20. The webinar will be held noon to 1 p.m. and hosted at select Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county offices. There is no charge to attend the webinar

Iowa crop and livestock producers dealing with drought–related issues are invited to attend an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach webinar Wednesday, July 25 to learn more about options available to them. County extension offices will be hosting the 1- 3 p.m. webinar. There is no charge to attend the webinar.

"How about 'Sweating in the Garden' this year at the 2012 Home Demonstration Garden Field Days?" asks Cindy Haynes, consumer horticulturist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Field days scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 11 will feature several themes, including: compact, space-saving plants; foliage plants; sweet corn; and several other new varieties of flowers and vegetables.

David Minner, turfgrass specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, offers lawn care practices Iowans should consider as local agencies enact voluntary water conservation programs to reduce water consumption and relieve strain on city water supplies. Minner will discuss this topic during a webinar July 20.

Seventeen young Iowans have received Hills Bank and Trust Leadership Grants. The scholarship is administered by the Iowa 4-H Foundation and can be used at any Iowa accredited university, college or community college beginning in fall 2012. Recipients are from Iowa, Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Muscatine and Washington counties.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Plymouth County will be hosting a meeting Thursday, July 19 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss drought related issues at the Plymouth County Extension Office in the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center. Meeting topics include those covered by extension specialists — crop growth and development under drought conditions, feeding drought damaged crops, and crop insurance considerations; and Jeff Davis, county executive director with Farm Service Agency will discuss government crop programs.

The Iowa Learning Farms’ July 18 webinar will feature young farmer Nathan Anderson. Anderson, from Cherokee, farms with his wife, Sarah, and family and serves as a Cherokee County Soil and Water District commissioner, involved in Practical Farmers of Iowa and other community and agricultural organizations.

As dry conditions continue, cattle producers need to look at numerous management practices to help stretch their feed supply and maintain performance and reproduction in the cow herd. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Denise Schwab offers a few strategies that may help.